Activists demand protection for environmentalist Ramesh Gauns

KERI: Social activists on Monday submitted a memorandum to the deputy collector and police inspector of Bicholim expressing solidarity with environmentalist Ramesh Gauns and urged the government to provide him with protection following threats issued to him recently.

On November 23, a few people believed to be mining dependent had organized a morcha and were proceeding towards Gauns' house at Pajwada, Bicholim, when they were stopped by police. Certain elements in the morcha had even issued threats to the environmentalist.

Pradeep Naik, deputy collector of Bicholim, speaking to members of the committee that submitted the memorandum said, "Necessary directives will be given to the concerned authorities for maintaining law and order and to discourage the undemocratic elements."

Jawahar Barve, convenor of the committee, said, " The government should take care so that no untoward incident occurs on the occasion of the marriage ceremony of Ramesh Gauns's son scheduled on December 8."

"Giving protection to whistle blowers is needed to protect democratic values enshrined in the Constitution. We all sympathize with families affected by the closure of mining activities. But, no one should follow terror as a method to achieve the goal," said Sandesh Prabhudesai, senior journalist, while speaking to TOI.

Madhuri Rao, a social activist from Vasco said, "The cause for which activists like Ramesh Gauns are fighting is not against any industry or establishment but against the forces responsible for posing a threat to the environment,"

Veteran freedom fighter Vishwas alias Bhaiya Desai, said, "In a democracy everyone has a right to fight for protecting the environment. It is necessary to accord protection for those who are struggling for safeguarding democratic and human values as well as for environment."

Vishwesh Porob from Valpoi has criticized the government for failing to provide alternative sources for the mining affected families and for encouraging chaos and disorder in the state.

Anibel Comelo, Cajetan Pereira, Dadu Mandrekar, Madhu Gaonkar, Rupesh Patkar and other activists were present in the chamber of the deputy collector of Bicholim.

Thalmann Pradeep Pereira, secretary of CPI(M), Goa state organising committee, condemned all forms of individual terrorism and emphasized the need to respect and uphold the right of every citizen to hold an opinion and express it. While condemning the recent morcha on Gauns, Pereira said in a statement that all those who wish to oppose his viewpoint are free to do so through democratic means without resorting to intimidation or harassment.